Former Gaybrook Lodge Stud breezer California Spangle returned to his brilliant best with an emphatic win in the Group 1 Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup at Sha Tin.
Previously winner of the Group 1 Hong Kong Mile at the expense of Horse of the Year Golden Sixty, the Starspangledbanner gelding had been running well this season in defeat. However, he was in top form on this occasion for trainer Tony Cruz in the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup, making all under Brenton Avdulla to win impressively over Galaxy Patch with the world’s top-rated sprinter Lucky Sweynesse well in behind. It was California Spangle’s second win at the top level and set him up for a crack at the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint on Dubai World Cup night at Meydan.
California Spangle was part of the 2020 generation of breezers at Gaybrook Lodge and was bought by Badgers Bloodstock on behalf of owner Howard Liang Yum Shing. The horse won ten races for the owner before Shing’s death in November 2023.
“This horse was very important to the late Howard Liang,” said Tony Cruz. “He bought the horse and I’m so glad he has won another Group 1. He is the best horse Howard raced and the exciting part of today is that California Spangle had to perform to go to Dubai. And now he’s heading to Dubai and everybody is thrilled about it.
“He had the perfect race today. I think Brenton rode a perfect race. He did exactly what I expected him to do. I’m so happy about that. We’re going to Dubai now and Brenton is going to ride him in Dubai.”
California Spangle was bred in Ireland by Michael Enright out of the High Chaparral mare Pearlitas Passion. He was bought as a yearling by MC Bloodstock for €150,000 at the Goffs Orby Sale.
